Woman pleads guilty to two robberies in Bethlehem

Joanna Scandlen, 26, told authorities she was high on drugs at the time.

February 15, 2013|By Nicole Radzievich", Of The Morning Call

A 26-year-old woman whom police linked to two robberies by the oversize lighter she stole pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of robbery.

Joanna Scandlen of Bethlehem admitted she robbed 7-Eleven and Quick Fill gas stations in Bethlehem last September. The two counts carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Her attorney is seeking the standard range of sentencing, which is a year-and-three-quarters to three years.

Court records say Scandlen told authorities she was high on ecstasy and heroin at the time of the holdups and was desperate for cash. She hid her face behind a covering and carried an unloaded BB gun, which she showed the cashiers.

Authorities say she walked away with $700, two cartons of cigarettes and $9 worth of lottery tickets on Sept. 15 at the Quick Fill, 2960 Linden St., and $90, $75 worth of lottery tickets and $62 worth of cigarettes and a 6-inch WWF lighter on Sept. 16 at the 7-Eleven, 2930 Linden St.

Police found Scandlen after finding her vehicle, which matched a witness' description, parked outside her East Boulevard home. The lighter matched the description of the one stolen at the gas station.